Sunday, July 13, 2008

Although there have been many people involved in the creation of The Hemispherectomy Foundation, I wanted to take a few minutes to introduce some of the people who were instrumental in creating this foundation that will help many children and their families through awareness, education, and aid surrounding the diseases that lead up to this radical surgery and the hemispherectomysurgery itself.

This is, of course, Jessie (pictured with her brain surgeon Dr. Benjamin Solomon Carson). Without Jessie's dynamic personality, her love for EVERYONE and her outgoing, spunky, brave, dynamic, persevering personality, The Hemispherectomy Foundation would have never happened. She inspires me, her father, and many other people to do BIG things and to have BIG ideas. I don't understand it, but I follow it. I believe with all my convictions that our Father in heaven has BIG plans for her and the other children and parents who have survived hemispherectomy surgery and for those who help them survive...their angels.From left, First is Kristi (Jessie's mom), who started the whole idea with a scholarship; The Jessie Hall Hemispherectomy Scholarship (JHHS). This blossomed into something much bigger, and has now become The Hemispherectomy Foundation. Next is Caren Jennings, who has worked tirelessly to set up operations, fund raisers, Internet presence, and networking to make the foundation happen. I'm the one on the right, and I think that they let me in because they feel sorry for me. ;-0

Also, we have to give credit to our Creator for inspiring many people to rally around Jessie, and then The Hemispherectomy Foundation to plant the seeds in good ground so that they will grow into fruitful trees to feed the many children and their families who desperately need it.

This is Dr. Benjamin Solomon Carson. He is the remarkable neurosurgeon, and Christian man, who revised The Hemispherectomy surgery so that it was a viable solution to ending intractable seizures and giving children and their families a better quality of life.

There are also people out there like Mikel Shelton, of Shelton, Mead & Shelton, who has graciously agreed to do the Accounting work for The Hemispherectomy Foundation and file the mountain of paperwork to make the foundation a non-profit 501 (c) 3 foundation.

And Gary Jordon, an attorney from Weatherford, who volunteered his services to ensure that our legal needs were taken care of, especially in setting up our corporation, the basis or the foundations non-profit enterprise.

And Brian Melven, who set up the first web site for the foundation, and the precursor for The Hemispherectomy Foundation website. Our first fundraiser and educational site. Pray For Jessie - http://www.prayforjessie.org/

And John Jennings (Caren's Husband), who has been working tirelessly to put into place the Official Website for The Hemispherectomy Foundation, and for setting up the books for the non-profit corporation, and helping with mailings, logistics, and so many other things.

The countless other people who have helped in so many ways to make The Hemispherectomy Foundation possible. Our next phase will be Fund Raising, Awareness, and Education. I know that there are so many more of you that want to help, and I can't wait to work with each of your to make this a world-class organization and to feel the love that will surround these children and their families.

If you want to be a part of this organization and helping these kids and their families, please send a quick note to Caren (marypoppins@uwmail.com) and let her know that you are interested in helping and where you would enjoy helping the most. We will be in touch soon to put your ideas and strengths into action. I promise that the rewards will be more than you can imagine. Thank You!!!

I am so glad that Jessie is coming along nicely. Your blog has really helped me in staying positive about the future. My son, Chance will be having this procedure done on August 6 by Dr. Jallo. Thank you for being here and guiding the way. I really wish that Chance would be able to meet Jessie, but at the same time, for her sake and yours, I hope you are back home before we come down the JHH and KKI.

Hey, Jessie! I'm one of the residents who helped Dr. Carson with the operation. Looks like you are doing great. Drop me a line when you have a chance, would love to hear from you! Hope you are having a great summer!

About Me

Jessie is 8 years-old and in 2nd Grade. She has 3 brothers, Matt(12), Jake(10) and Josh(10). She loves people, and never met a stranger. She loves to laugh and sing and play. Jessie was diagnosed with Rasmussen's Encephalitis(RE), which is a rare brain disease that usually attacks healthy children about her age. The only known treatment for this cruel disease is a hemispherectomy (surgical removal of one-half of the brain)
This is an account of Jessie's confrontation with RE and her families attempts to navigate through a new world to bring her the best care possible. Surgery was on June 11, 2008.
This Blog is an attempt to help people undertand this disease and surgery, and to help others with kids going through it to find comfort and resource from someone who has been there before.
Read from bottom, up. It will be updated continuously through Jessie's Miraculous Recovery.
**To add Comments, just click "Comments".Or, email Jessie at Jessie@Hallzoo.com.